The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has conducted more than one million health screenings across borders, travel corridors, and key transit points in response to the ongoing Ebola outbreak affecting eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The milestone reflects the scale of efforts being undertaken to contain the disease and reduce the risk of cross-border transmission in one of Africa’s most active mobility regions.
Human mobility plays a significant role in both the spread and containment of infectious diseases. Thousands of people cross borders daily for trade, employment, family visits, and access to essential services. In eastern DRC’s Ituri Province alone, more than 16,000 people move across porous borders every day, making effective health surveillance and screening critical to preventing further transmission of Ebola.
The current outbreak has expanded across the provinces of North Kivu, South Kivu, and Ituri in eastern DRC, with confirmed cross-border cases reported in Uganda. As of 18 June 2026, the outbreak had resulted in more than 856 infections and 198 deaths, according to international health authorities. Several neighboring countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, and South Sudan, remain at heightened risk due to extensive regional population movement.
To address the growing threat, IOM has significantly expanded its operations by deploying additional personnel and strengthening health surveillance systems. The organization is currently supporting monitoring activities at 110 points of entry and 43 additional health screening locations positioned along major travel routes. These efforts are designed to improve early detection, facilitate rapid response, and strengthen disease control measures in high-risk areas.
A key component of the response involves population mobility mapping, which helps identify major travel routes, migration patterns, and areas where people gather. This information enables governments and health authorities to prioritize surveillance, contact tracing, community engagement, and referral systems for suspected Ebola cases. By understanding how people move across borders and within affected regions, response teams can target resources more effectively and improve outbreak containment strategies.
In addition to supporting response efforts in affected areas, IOM is helping strengthen preparedness in neighboring countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia. These activities focus on enhancing surveillance systems, improving border health measures, and preparing health authorities for potential cases linked to regional mobility patterns.
The response is being supported by international partners, including the United States government and the European Union. As the outbreak continues to evolve, IOM is seeking additional resources to maintain critical interventions, protect vulnerable populations, strengthen health systems, and reduce the risk of further regional spread. The organization emphasizes that sustained international cooperation and strong cross-border health surveillance remain essential for controlling the outbreak and safeguarding public health across the region.
